Dave Newsham and Lea Wood to test for Speedworks

Speedworks Motorsport will test Dave Newsham and Lea Wood at Donington Park on Thursday, as the team evaluates its 2013 driver line-up.

Newsham, twice a race winner in 2012 with Team ES Racing, and Lea Wood, both raced in Vauxhall Vectras this year. Newsham previously told TouringCarTimes his aim was to compete in a full Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) in 2013, and has been in talks with Speedworks about a possible move next season.

“I’m looking forward to my first drive in an NGTC car as much as I did my first ever BTCC test because I’ve been racing against them all year,” said Newsham to btcc.net.

“I’m currently chatting to several teams with nothing definite. I think Speedworks are a cracking outfit and I’ve been to their workshops in Cheshire and it’s all very impressive. They’ve also after two seasons with the Toyota probably ironed out all the bugs and Paul O’Neill really showed what the car could do at Knockhill.”

Team Principal Christian Dick added:
“It’s opportunity for us to evaluate them both for next year,” he said to btcc.net. “It’d be great to run at least one of them, but obviously we only have so many places in our squad. This, though, enables them to meet the team and for us to see what they are about.”

Speedworks Motorsport ran two Toyota Avensises for Adam Morgan and Tony Hughes in 2012, but both will not be returning for the team next season. Hughes has stepped down from racing, and has indicated that the plan is to back one car for Paul O’Neill next season.

Adam Morgan will compete with new team Cicely Racing, in the car used by the Dynojet Racing team in the 2011 season in 2013.

Lea Wood has driven with his family-run JWT Performance squad since 2010, first with the BTC-specification Honda Integra before switching to the Vauxhall Vectra S2000/NGTC last season.